ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Colonel-General Konev

To Army General Vatutin

To Army General Malinovsky

Today, August 23, the troops of the Steppe Front, with the active support of the troops of the Voronezh and South-Western Fronts on the flanks, as a result of fierce fighting broke the enemy's resistance and took the city of Kharkov by storm.

Thus the second capital of Ukraine — our own dear Kharkov — has been liberated from the oppression of the German-fascist scoundrels.

In the offensive battles for the capture of the city of Kharkov, our troops displayed high combat proficiency, valour, and skill in manoeuvring.

In the fighting for the city of Kharkov, the troops of Major-General Managarov, Lieutenant-General Kryuchenkin, Lieutenant-General Shumilov, Lieutenant-General Gagen, Lieutenant-General of Tank Forces Rotmistrov, and the airmen of Lieutenant-General of Aviation Goryunov distinguished themselves, as did the units of the 33rd Guards Rifle Corps of Major-General Kozlov M.I. and the 34th Rifle Corps of Major-General Kolchigin.

In honour of the liberation of Kharkov, the 89th Guards Belgorod Rifle Division, the 252nd, 84th, 299th, 116th, 375th, and 183rd Rifle Divisions, and the 15th, 28th, and 93rd Guards Rifle Divisions shall be awarded the designation "Kharkov" and shall henceforth be named:

89th Guards Belgorod-Kharkov Rifle Division,

252nd Kharkov Rifle Division,

84th Kharkov Rifle Division,

299th Kharkov Rifle Division,

116th Kharkov Rifle Division,

375th Kharkov Rifle Division,

183rd Kharkov Rifle Division,

15th Guards Kharkov Rifle Division,

28th Guards Kharkov Rifle Division,

93rd Guards Kharkov Rifle Division.

As a sign of celebration on the occasion of the victory at Kharkov, today, August 23, at 21:00, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, on behalf of the Motherland, salutes our valiant troops who have liberated Kharkov with twenty artillery salvoes from two hundred and twenty-four guns.

For the excellent combat operations, I declare my gratitude to all the troops under your command who participated in the operation for the liberation of Kharkov.

Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the struggle for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!

Death to the German occupiers!

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Marshal of the Soviet Union I. STALIN

August 23, 1943 [No. 4]